When someone tries to sell their home, they do not always tell the whole truth. It is unfortunate that if you were to hire a professional inspector for each viewing, it would get incredibly expensive. So, here are some red flags that you can look out for that could tell you to avoid the property.

First, inspect the neighborhood. Are there many homes for sale and many boarded up shops? Talk to your potential new neighbors and ask what the area is like. Have a look at how the land is shaped. If you notice that the yard is on a downwards slope towards the property, the foundations could be affected by rain water. Use your nose: bad smells in or out the property are a bad sign. Next, check whether there are pests. Make sure you speak to others in the street about this, as they are likely to know about pests.

Next, it is time to look at how the property was treated by the current owners. Check the property for maintenance as well. If it looks run down from the outside, it is likely that the inside isn’t in a much better condition either. Make sure to inspect the wiring. Only a qualified electrician can identify real problems, but you can have a general look. Flickering lights and hot outlets are major red flags. If you notice that only a few of the walls have been painted recently, it is possible that the owners are trying to hide something. Next, look closely at the windows. Windows that have mold or condensation or that open with difficulty may be signs of very expensive problems.Naturally, never view a property that you are not allowed to see in full. Additionally, if you notice that any structural work has been done, such as the removal of walls or floors, you need to find out whether that work was done properly by a qualified architect.

At the end of the day, you are the only one who an decide whether you will buy a property or not. Nevertheless, due diligence should always be exerted. Always make sure a professional inspector has looked over the property first. If some serious issues are identified, you can then decide whether this means the property is not for you, or whether you want to try and have the current owner reduce the selling price. However, always be careful that you do not get tied into a money pit.